Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Goat Cheese Timbales in a Sea of Change

Seattle was the perfect place to be as my world changed. I am a "water baby." And like to contemplate looking at bodies of water. Seattle provides water contemplation.

And if bits of my being seemed scattered upon rocks or washed out to sea, the movement soothed me, heightened my feelings and gave way ...

... to quiet thoughts. And appreciation of what is.

I've changed my life before. After an unfortunate "bus incident," I packed my bags and moved from NYC to MN within a week. But not without a plan. I knew the neighborhood I would live in, the theatres I would audition for, the climate... and the lack of food (which has happily improved over - the decades). In fact, my cooking obsession can be directly tied to the fact that I could not find my New York traditional Italian and food-finds and so had to recreate them!

And if you're life is changing, eating crab at Pike's Market can stimulate the brain cells. I know.

I had it all. And then some.

Crab cocktail.

Crab roll.

And at Saltys - with a view of the Seattle skyline - a supper club - but - most importantly - they served -

Crab legs!

And then I came home and had crab for three days. (Yes, I am obsessive - have you ever done this after a vacation?)

"To know is nothing at all. To imagine is everything." - Anatole France

Yes, there's a waterfall inside the city limits of Seattle.

"Remember the plants, trees, animal life who all have their tribes, their families, their histories, too. Talk to them, listen to them. They are alive poems." - Joe Harjo

And Seattle was filled with alive poems. I will show more later, but before I make you impatient - I will get to the loveliest of recipes. Easy and elegant - as a life change should be but is not. After contemplating the new - within the new - I came home and after my crabfest, needed a tried and true. Something that has sustained Paul and I throughout part of our marriage. Something that is a smile, a grin, a luxurious taste, a memory.

Ten years ago, my mother made this for Paul and I for our anniversary - it's from Bon Appetit. And tonight, I surprised Paul with it for his birthday. (He may have been relieved to see he wasn't having crab.)

Preparation
With goat cheese and cream cheese at room temperature, beat together until smooth. Cut in thin slices of green scallions and pepper generously. Stir to combine all equally. In 3 4-5 ounce ramekins, lay proscicutto in a X-pattern in the ramekins. Divide goat cheese mixture equally in the 3 ramekins. Layer the overlapped prosciutto on top.

Cover, weight down with a can and let sit 6-8 hours or over night.

In a small saute pan lightly sprayed or brushed with olive oil, heat the timbales 3-4 minutes per side - until just about to ooze, (and if does ooze, enjoy - it's not a bad thing!)

Put aside for 20-30 minutes, so the cheese can "set." Bon Appetit has you serve it with haricot verts on the side which is grand - but I usually opt for baby spring greens in a champagne vinaigrette.

It looks so innocent and it is.

But them you cut into it -
.

And it welcomes you by spreading its creamy goodness around the salad. Which is just what you want. Just what you need. Just what you counted on when all is changing. Some things are certain. The goat cheese timbales are a sure thing. They succeed every time. Have you ever made a life change? But brought the past with you - to ensure - a happy, new beginning?

What an inspiring post, Claudia...in more ways than one. You looked wonderful there in Seattle. Loved your photos, granddaughter Amanda has been enjoying the sights there too. She now lives in Tacoma. Hope your life change continues to bring you great joy!

How gorgeous your photo's are! Wow makes me feel like I am there, as i wish! Well you know me by reading CRAB! is my favorite seafood so not only am I jealous but drooling over everything here! What an amazing place that food is calling me for sure!

Seattle can be a magical city for the adventurous. I know you to be that! I hope all is well and that the life-changes of which you speak are all positive. I hope you have a good day. Hugs and Blessings...Mary

Look at those fabulous crabs! They are so fresh and succulent, I wouldn't mind eating them for a week! Absolutely my favorite! And yes, I did change my life a few years back and boy! am I so glad I did!

I considered moving to Oregon at one point because I loved the northwest so much. But there's the rain thing. A lot of rain thing. Those delicious crab dishes made me wonder if I've made a mistake now. :)

I've never heard of Timbales before and I can see that I'm missing out. They look fantastic. What a great surprise for your husband.

All of those pictures are absolutely wonderful. I've always wanted to go to Seattle, but haven't made it, yet (I'm a water baby, too). I don't think it gets much better than goat cheese and prosciutto...mmm. Lucky Paul ;) I have made a couple of life changes...and I know that I will make more in time.

I have wanted to visit Seattle for such a long time and your gorgeous photos are pressing me :) What a wonderful trip and so much crab, wow! My sons are not big on goat cheese but anything wrapped in prosciutto will get there attention :)

I shouldn't have read this before dinner, I want crab so badly now. I'm so glad you are moving on to the next chapter, I'm sure it will be even better than the last. I also cook so much because they don't have the foods I love here either. I want to visit Seattle one day, it looks beautiful. Enjoy your weekend, so glad you are back.-Gina-

Claudia- Your writing is so poetic. I sincerely hope that the life changes you speak of are positive and exciting. Seattle looks like a foodie's dream. I've always wanted to go, but just haven't had the chance. The goat cheese timbales are absolutely swoon-worthy and I can definitely see why you'd enjoy them with salad instead of the beans. Pure heaven!

What a lovely post to read and to see. You captured some of the best parts of Seattle, and I loved hearing your reflections about change and new starts. I hope that the change you speak of is a good one, my dear friend.

A lovely post Claudia, your words flow so lovely and easily of the page. Life changes? I hope they are excitng and filled with joy!! Happy Bday to Paul and what a celebration bundle of flavor!happy weekend!

Good day Claudia, hope you're getting along well in a brand new environment. Anyway, I think you'll be too busy to think of that....guess life going to be pretty busy then. Seattle is a beautiful city. I'm sure you're going to enjoy life there and go on enjoy more crabs! haha.... Btw, the goat cheese timbales sound as incredible.Have a wonderful time!Blessings, Kristy